European Ministers for Education, Youth, Culture and Sport are expected to have many different discussions at their Brussels meeting on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 May. They will also adopt several series of conclusions but no legislative dossier will be on the table.
On Tuesday, Ministers will discuss education and youth and on Wednesday, culture and sport. As a first glance, the most interesting discussion could possibly involve the future of European youth and culture policy insofar as it will indirectly involve the question of the EU budget. On the section on culture, in particular, the Presidency will be asking ministers about the relevance of a “a targeted programme in the cultural field, which is particularly focused on culture and creativity”.
Two recommendations
Another crucial point on the agenda includes: the recommendation for lifelong education and training and the one on promoting common values, inclusive education and education’s European dimension. These two texts were presented on 17 January as part of a raft of measures to adapt the skills of students in the European Union to the actual requirements of the market (see EUROPE 11941). The former updates the 2006 recommendation on key skills, in an effort to take into account technological developments. In comparison to the Commission's proposal, the Council emphasises lifelong learning and introduces the reference to “healthy life management”. The second text recognises the need to promote a European dimension in education in order to increase understanding of our common European heritage and an awareness of the EU's social and cultural diversity. In the text, the Council states that member states should have the possibility of celebrating a “European Union Day” event as part of apprenticeships. On all the other issues, the ministers' agenda is as follows:
Education. In addition to the recommendations on the morning of 22 May, ministers will also hold an orientation debate on universities' potential for regional growth and the development of skills linked to the spirit of enterprise and innovation. They will also adopt conclusions on the theme of “Putting the Idea of a European Education Area into Practice” and in this connection they call on the member states to cooperate and pursue their reflection on a common idea for this kind of area in relation to the goals, objectives and scope this could cover. During the dinner, they will discuss the issue of “Restructuring the Social Dialogue”.
Youth. In the afternoon, in addition to the debate on the future of European youth policy, (see EUROPE 12015), they will adopt the conclusions on the role played by youth in the construction of a safe, solidarity-based and harmonious society that is capable of tackling the demographic challenges in the EU. The former seeks to help young people become aware of their role in tacking radicalisation, violent extremism, populism and marginalisation. The latter highlights the importance of youth mobility. In the points covered in “any other business”, the Commission will examine the point on the European School Sports Day, which will be taking place on 29 September.
Culture. In the morning of 23 May, the Council will be holding an orientation debate on a long term vision regarding the contribution of culture to the EU after 2020. It will also adopt conclusions on the need to promote cultural heritage in EU policies. The working dinner will focus on sport and the ministers responsible will discuss the theme of “The Future of Club and National Team Competitions”, which will be attended by the President of the UEFA, Mr Aleksander Ceferin. The points in the section on “any other business” will involve informing ministers about the progress in the discussions on importing cultural goods, value-added tax rates in the perspective of cultural policy and the European capitals of culture 2022 (Kaunas in Lithuania and Esch-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg).
Sport. In the afternoon, the Council will adopt conclusions on the promotion of common EU values through sport and will hold an orientation debate focusing on the commercial use of high-level sport and the viability of the European sports model. It should be pointed out that an informal meeting of EU Sports Ministers will take place in Paris on 31 May 2018.
ESU Manifesto
During the Europe Day event, the European Students Union (ESU) pointed out that its priorities were based around a separate minimum public investment objective of 2% of GDP and the creation of a European student status. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)